‘Future Proof #7:’ Comic Book Review

When the Future Proof story began, things were relatively simple. Well, as simple as a time travel story of this type can be, anyway. James and Simon (and other time agents like them) were tasked with going further and further back in history, fixing certain historical events to repair the timeline. The further back they go, though, and the more events they affect, the more complicated things become.

We begin in Tombstone at the O.K. Corral. Wyatt Earp, Doc Holiday, and the rest of the crew are preparing for their famous gunfight. Only it’s actually 4 time agents disguised as the famous crew, fighting the battle for them and making sure they win.

Then, we go back to 1963. Well, forward to 1963, but back to us, because we were there in the very first issue. If you read that first issue, you may recall a very brief reference to a mysterious other time agent that our heroes catch the briefest glimpse of before they carry out their assignment. I actually didn’t recall it and had go back to issue #1 to look it up. He’s there. And now, he’s back. This mysterious character gets a visit from another mysterious character, and we begin to get a clearer picture of just what’s going on behind the scenes of this time travel adventure, who’s working to stop it, and why.

In the last few issues, some of the characters have finally begun to question the morality of their mission—which previously, they had just accepted quite matter-of-factly. This raises a number of other issues with regards to time travel - how it works, what they’re doing, etc. - and the comic is beginning to explore those in more detail. It’s more complicated, yes. If time travel stories confuse you, this might be the time to jump ship on this comic.

I wouldn’t recommend that, though, because it’s also getting much deeper and more interesting. I was hooked on Future Proof from the very beginning, and each issue draws me in a little bit more—especially this one, and the previous one. Writer Brian Phillipson has created an amazing world, and every issue lets us explore it a little further. So yeah, if time travel stories leave you hopelessly lost and confused, then this comic probably isn’t for you. But, if you enjoy time travel as much as I do, then Future Proof is a definite must-read.